WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) announced that the Conserving the Illinois River Legacy project received over $5 million in funding from United States Department of Interior and Ducks Unlimited, who will lead the project, with the support of several public and private organizations. The funding awarded will support the protection and restoration of over 10,000 acres of wetlands on public and private land along the Illinois River Valley.
“Preserving wetlands along the Illinois River is essential to restoring wildlife habitats in the Illinois River Valley and will conserve resources along the River,” stated Rep. LaHood. “As a father of three boys who enjoy the outdoors, this is welcome news for our community. The investment will support economies across Illinois’ 18th Congressional District and I applaud the effort by both the Department of the Interior and private organizations in our community. This will ensure the Illinois River remains a habitable environment for wildlife and can be enjoyed by future generations for years to come.”
Background
- The project will be funded through:
- U.S. Department of Interior North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant of $1 million; and
- An additional $4.1 million support from Ducks Unlimited, Wetlands America Trust, The Nature Conservancy, The Wetlands Initiative, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Peoria Park District, Friends of Sanganois, Illinois River Valley Conservation Group, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partner’s for Fish and Wildlife Program
- The Conserving the Illinois River Legacy will protect 1,522 acres of wetlands, restore water to over 18 acres of drained wetlands, and revitalize 11,461 acres of existing degraded water
- The funds will be utilized in counties across the Illinois, including Cass, Brown, Marshall, Mason, Morgan, Peoria, Pike, Schuyler, Scott, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford Counties.
